Five Strangers.... A Car Pool Story- Part-2

My first day of car pooling… terrible Tuesday. Terrible, since I had to wake up at 7 AM, thanks to a phone call from Rahul’s friend. Rahul had warned him that I might get up late, which wasn’t far from the truth really. I slept at 1 AM the previous night (after watching a movie) and was surely not in the mood to say hello to the morning so early. But I couldn’t really make any excuse I realized (as I had said ‘YES’ to Rahul for car pooling plus it was Rahul’s friend who was coming to pick me up plus I couldn’t create a bad impression on this guy the first meeting itselfJ).

So, fast forward to Hitender, who comes in his white Honda City (quite luxurious compared to my Maruti Zen) to pick me up for the car pool. We get chatting and Hitender tells that he has been car pooling with the others for the past five months. And it began quite simply with his post on the BB asking if anyone was interested to car pool. I realized from the way he spoke that these people – strangers not so long ago are friends now!
So we head to Phase 9 where Jasmeet and Rabbi are waiting for us. They are Infoscions too although I am meeting them for the first time. They make themselves comfortable in the back seat and Hitender starts the ignition again. I am puzzled as he is going in the opposite direction and because I was under the impression that there were four people in the car pool. Hitender smiles and says that there is one more person. And who happens to be a late comer like me. Hmmmmmmm, better to keep quiet I thought.

After a five minute wait, she arrives – Frappi. Well, I am quite surprised to see her…again. The first (and the last time so far), when I met her was at the induction. We joined Infy together. I could recall her even now since I liked her attitude and we had a good argument about something. I am happy to see her again and we all greet each other and I am not surprised to find out that she doesn’t recognize me. I want to tell her about the induction and the argument, but maybe later…

We make it to the parking lot in good time and it’s a happy feeling – one of the best reasons for car pooling has got to be the escape from parking headaches. I’m in my cubicle and check my watch to see its only 8:15 AM! Quite unusual for me… I am the first person to enter the cubicle today. While I am logging in, my manager arrives, stops at my seat and asks me to which direction sun rose today! I laugh with him and he tells me he is happy to see me at work at this time. He tells me that he likes my work but not my late coming. Now I’m happy to see him happy and decide to dive into car pooling. So car pooling may even help me get a better appraisal .

Amit came and he almost dropped his bag. I smiled on his shocked look by seeing me at my desk at that time. He asked me if he’s dreaming and I told him to treat me for breakfast to show him such a nice dream. He said in that case it’s a nightmare.

I met Rahul for lunch and told him what my boss said about my timely arrival in office and escaped from the parking problem. Rahul said he knew that and he said it’s just a beginning. There are several benefits of Car Pooling which I’d learn soon.

It’s 5:30 PM and Hitender pings me over communicator to pack up. I am surprised to see that I am done with my work earlier than usual. We even manage to go work out at the gym head home by 7pm. Wow, that’s another reason to car pool - I have invested one hour for myself by coming early and I get home with some time to spare.

Thanks to Rahul for introducing me to Hitender and group…

To Be Continued…